1976 Republican Platform: Handicapped Citizens

Handicapped persons must be admitted into the mainstream of
our society.

Too often the handicapped population of the nation -- over 30
million men, women and children -- has been denied the rights
taken for granted by other citizens. Time after time, the paths
are closed to the handicapped in education, employment,
transportation, health care, housing, recreation, insurance,
polling booths and due process of law. National involvement is
necessary to correct discrimination in these areas. Individual
incentive alone cannot do it.

We pledge continued attention to the problems caused by
barriers in architecture, communication, transportation and
attitudes. In addition, we realize that to deny education and
employment simply because of an existing disability runs counter
to our accepted belief in the free enterprise system and forces
the handicapped to be overly dependent on others. Similarly, the
denial of equal access to credit and to acquisition of venture
capital on the basis of a handicap or other disability conflicts
with Republican philosophy. We advocate the elimination of
needless barriers for all handicapped persons.